Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-23
MISSING MRS.WALKER
INTERVIEWS WITH THE OLD LaDy's
DAUGHTER AND OTHERS.
Circumi tapoes Under Which the Mother
Left Home Eleven
Days Ago.

much exercised at the mysterious dls-
appearance of Mrs. Walker. This ven
erable lady was last seen by her family
between IL and o'clock Friday night
aweek ago when she left herroo saying
that she was going into the backyard.
They expected her TO return in few
minutes, but she has never been seen
since. The night was dark and
stormy one. Relatives, friends, and
neighbors are all much troubled about
her disappearance, and can assign no
cause for it. They have made every
effort to find her. The gullies. hill
sides, old buildings, wells, and ponds
for a mile or more around have been
searched and dragged, bat as yet they
have been unable TO obtain any infor-
nation as to her whereabouts.
Many are the conjectures as to her
fate. Numbers of people think her
dead. Some think her body may be
found in one of the wells on the old
colored lunatic grounds or in the dock,
while others belive that she is yet alive,
and fancy that she may have wandered
to some house and is sick and unable
to give an account of herself.
THE INTEREST IN THE CASE.
Mr.. Elijah Baker, one of the oldest
citizens of Richmond, who has been
living on Union Hill, in this neighbor-
hood, for about fifty years, said yester-
day that he never knew of case that
the people on the Hill felt so much in
terest in as they do in the disappear
ance of Mrs. Walker. "They can't
realize" said Mr.. Baker, "the fact that
a person leaving her home as she did
and SO well known as she was should be
missing and no trace OF her to be ascer-
tained. 1t is a mystery that the people
can't comprehend"
"Mr. Baker" said a Dispatch re-
porter yesterday, 81 wish you would
give me some information about Mrs.
Walker and her family"
every good, sir, said he; 81 have
known Mrs. Walker for several years.
She lived few doors from here with
her daughter, who married Mr. White.
They are poor, but are worthy, good,
Christian people, and are highly
thought of by their neighbors. All OF
them, / believe, are members of the
Venable-Street Baptist church, of which
Rev. Mr.. Pitt is pastor. Mrs. Walker
was a remarkable woman for her age
She was active and industrious ano
was devoted TO her son-in-law and
daughter.
Have the neighbors made any ef-
forts to find her?" queried the paper
man.
Eyes; all of them have been very
much interested and have made dill
gent inquiries about her. They have
searched all the places about here
where they thought she was likely tC
be found. Everything has been done
by them to find her that they can think
of. They commenced the night OF hel
disappearance and haYe kept it up tC
this time. Police-Justice Richardson
was out here, aud, | understand, ha:
given much attention to the case. II
You were to see Mrs. White she would
give you any information that you
wish"
MRS. WALKERS HISTORY.
Mr.. White and his wife (who is {
daughter of Mrs. Walker) were next seen
They live in small frame house Oh
Tulip street.
"Will you tell me, " said the reporter
to Mrs. White, something OF you
mothers early history"
%My mother" she answered, "wai
born in this city and will be seventy
seven years of age next October. Sh'
was married to my father, Mr.. Rober
Walker, in February, 1899. My fathe
died about thirty-four years ago. III
was for several years previous to hi
death deputy United States marshal
He also was born in this city. At ont
time my mother was member Of tn
First Baptist church, but for some tim
past has been a member of Venable
Street Baptist church.
"What was her disposition 2"
"She was quiet, amiable, and self
denying never thought of her owl
comfort was pleasant and agreeable
to her family, and had little to sa,
generally. She was cheerful and al
WAYS spoke kindly of her neighbors
both black and white, and of late spen
most of her time waiting upon me, 70
my health has not been good for mum
Der of years. She was an early riser.
"Who have been looking for you
mother ?"
"My husband, relatives, and friend
have all made every effort to find her
They have searched the hills adjacent
the ravines, and all other places tina
they could think of forS mile around
They have also made hligent inquire
through the city. Last Saturday Blacl
pond, on the Nechanicsville road, wa
drained. 1t is'a horrible thought t
me to think that they have to drail
ponds to look for my mother. Police
Justice Richardson was out to see Il
twice. The dock has not been dragge'
that / know of.
"Was your mother in the habit O
going out alone and staying any lengt
of time 2"
"She was fond of visiting her int
mate acquaintances in the neighbor
hood, but was not fond of new acquaini
ances. She was rather backward /
making them. A few months ago,
remember, she left home to take tn
street-cars to visit a friend on Fourt
and Leigh streets, but feeling so vel
instead of taking the ears she walked
She spent a day or two with them sh
also walked back. She was active fc
a person of her age; her mind wa
clear. She was fond of reading, espt
cially her Bible. Ny mother" adde
Mrs. White, sis a Christian. II ther
ever was one in the world she is,
| know"
"What was her demeanor the nigf
she left?"
''It was the same as usual Sh
spoke of going to church that afte
noon. and would have done so but fC
shower of rain that fell. She ate h'
supper and retired to bed about
o'lcock and slept soundly, which WI
her custom"
| TnE DISAPPEARANCE.
"What hour was it that she can
into your chamber and asked for h'
shawl ?"